Brewing Is Going To The Dogs

Although cat cafes have been stealing the spotlight, good dogs the world over are reaping the rewards for faithful companionship with a variety of initiatives in the beverage world.

The most recent example is the launch of Good Boy Dog Beer in late September, a beer brewed specifically using dog-friendly ingredients and sold through bars in the Houston area (the idea had already been around the block in a few iterations worldwide, including Belgium’s Snuffle Dog Beer). The alcohol-free libation was brewed by Megan and Steve Long, owners of two area bars (and companions to an allergy-prone senior dog who requires homemade creations due to dietary restrictions). “The beer doesn’t exactly dance on a human palate, thanks to a complete lack of sodium. But that was never the intention,” wrote reporter Maggie Gordon in the Houston Chronicle. With chicken-based Mailman Malt Licker, pork-brewed IPA Lot in the Yard and vegetarian Session Squirrel, humans are clearly not the target audience. (Important PSA: please don’t feed your pets actual alcoholic beverages. “Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol,” warns the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website.)

Dog for dachshunds (and other good dogs) may be coming to a city near you.

Earlier this year, Fido’s, which bills itself as the world’s first dog tap house, opened its doors in Tigard, Oregon. The combination of craft beer and canines turned out to be an irresistible combination, as news media lapped up the tales of the brew house putting people in touch with adoptable pups from the Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals. Similar to cat cafes that offer coffee and a chance to provide furry felines a forever home, Fido’s has 40 taps and a chance to “cuddle or adopt”. (Another PSA: no caffeine for pets, either.)

In Canada, a Moncton brewery is getting creative with its craft by putting the pics of potential new family members on the labels of its Adoption Ale. Dogs, cats and even degu, all found at the local SCPA, are featured on the Pumphouse Brewery’s specialty line of bottles, now in its third round of brewing. Scott MacLeod, director of sales marketing for the brewery, told Global News that Pumphouse encouraged other craft breweries to try out the idea in the interest of fostering increased adoptions across the country. In addition to putting a face to the name of local animals in need, the brewery also donates fifty percent of the proceeds of the beer sold go to local humane societies.

On the other hand, it’s possible for companies to take the concept much, much too far, as Scotland-based bad boy BrewDog discovered with its questionable branding choices and poorly thought out forays into politics. Although the brewery does allow dogs to be shareholders and offers up “pawties” for pooches, the brand has unquestionably shown its dog-eat-dog mentality time and time again, annoying consumers and other brewers in the market and landing missteps that cause the brand to publicly roll over and play dead.

It goes to show, even in the world of brewing, it’s easy for companies to land in the doghouse.